Blackhawks to pick fourth in 2026 NHL Draft: Davidson’s Post Lottery Presser Takes – Hockey Writers – Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks are guaranteed at least a top-four pick in the NHL Draft for the fourth year in a row. That’s what finishing near the bottom of the standings will do for you. For reference, Chicago won the lottery in 2023 and selected Connor Bedard first overall. In the 2024 NHL Draft, they selected defenseman Artyom Levshunov second overall. In 2025, the Blackhawks selected Anton Frondell with the third overall pick.

In the 2026 Draft Lottery on Tuesday night (May 5) the lottery balls did not go their way this time, and the Blackhawks will have the fourth overall pick in the 2026 Draft on June 26. The Toronto Maple Leafs won the first drawing of the lottery, and held the first pick. The San Jose Sharks won the second drawing, and will pick second overall. This dropped the Vancouver Canucks to third and the Blackhawks to fourth.

We spoke with Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson immediately following the draft lottery. Here are some notable takeaways from his press conference.

Implications of the Blackhawks’ 4th Overall Pick

It seems the theme has continued. After picking first in 2023, second in 2024 and third in 2025, the Blackhawks will pick fourth overall in 2026. I guess you could look at this as “losing” the lottery, though still fourth overall draft pick! Obviously, Davidson talked a lot about the pedigree the team will get, other than fourth overall vs. first overall.

I think we expected, based on the probability that we would be three or four. We picked 1-2-3-4 in my time here, so we’ll complete the set.

We will get a good player. We will get a really good player. I think we’ve been, if you asked me a few days ago, how many players would be in contention for something like this, I think I’d probably put five or six guys in the mix. So we’re going to get a player that we absolutely love, that we see as a very important part of this going forward.

Davidson wouldn’t rule out whether the Blackhawks could target a specific type of player, such as a forward or defenseman. He just said they will look for the best player available when the board comes their time.

He also said that he will not mind the pick trade. “I’m open to talking to anybody about anything. Up, down, out; who knows, right? You have to be open to anything and consider it. But it’s rare that those kinds of options are sold.”

The two top prospects being considered, Gavin McKenna of Pennsylvania State (NCAA) or Ivar Stenberg of Frolunda HC (Swedish Hockey League) will likely end up with the fourth overall pick. Is Caleb Malhotra from the OHL Brantford Bulldogs still available? This is the same OHL team Nick Lardis plays for, and the Blackhawks also have two other prospects (Marek Vanacker and Parker Holmes) currently playing for the Bulldogs.

It can be an opportunity to keep things in the herd! Malhotra, a center, has been hot this season, registering 29 goals and 84 points in 67 regular season games. He also added eight goals and 26 points in 15 playoff games.

Caleb Malhotra’s mixtape just dropped 🔥 #NHLDraft

(🎥: @BulldogsOHL & @OHLHockey) pic.twitter.com/NzFfeH2y43

— NHL (@NHL) May 3, 2026

The Blackhawks could also opt to add a defenseman to their prospect pool, which doesn’t have much depth outside of the current defensemen who recently graduated from the NHL (Levshunov, Sam Rinzel, Kevin Korchinski). Other names among defensemen the Blackhawks could watch include Chase Reid (right shot, Soo Greyhounds), Keaton Verhoeff (right shot, University of North Dakota) or Carson Carels (left shot, WHL Prince George Cougars).

As mentioned above, there is a possibility that the Blackhawks trade their fourth overall pick. When that happens, things can get really interesting!

Bedard’s Contract Review & World Championship Non-Competition

In other news, Bedard announced to the hockey world last Friday (May 1) that he will NOT be attending Team Canada’s upcoming world championships. He revealed that he really wanted to go, but felt it was a good decision to skip the competition and give his shoulder more time to get back into shape.

“When you get an opportunity (to play in Canada), it’s hard to say no,” said Bedard. “But at the end of the day, my focus is on the Blackhawks and being the best player I can be in October. I feel like this will benefit me in that way.” (from ‘Connor Bedard explains decision not to play for Team Canada at World Championship’, The AthleticCHI – 5/2/2026)

Davidson said that was Bedard’s decision. But he fully supported the choice.

We support him in that decision. I think it’s a little bit different situation than last year, when he was just taking his option to not go, and working on his game. This year, it’s almost time for him to have a shoulder and he wants to make sure he’s in the right place now that the games are over. So we really support him in that, we hope he has another season like he did last year.

Bedard had a great season last year, working on his speed and explosiveness and coming back a very strong and dangerous player. Hopefully he can continue this good streak, and come to training camp healthy.

To Kantserov Possibly Coming From Russia

Roman Kantserov’s Blackhawks’ KHL team, Magnitogorsk Metallurg, was eliminated from the playoffs on Sunday (May 3). Selected in the second round (44^th Overall) of the 2023 Draft by the Blackhawks, the Russian midfielder has really broken out this season. He had 36 goals and 64 points in 63 games this past season, and added four goals and eight points in 15 playoff games.

Kantserov has not committed to heading to the United States for the upcoming 2026-27 season. But he is expected to do it. After all, Davidson and the Blackhawks can pretty much guarantee that the 21-year-old will be a top-six player on a new and talented team.

The Blackhawks general manager weighed in on Kantserov’s play, as well as the upcoming contract negotiations.

We had a great season, a great run to the finals. Maybe it ended sooner than he wanted, of course. But I think in the next few weeks anyway, hopefully we can talk to his representatives and just see what they think.

While fans may be disappointed that the Blackhawks picked fourth overall in the draft, it would be a nice boost if the Blackhawks could get Kantserov in the fold sooner rather than later.

Davidson Inspired by Young Teams Competing in Playoffs

In the final letter from Davidson’s press conference, he was asked if he was encouraged by other small teams, such as the Philadelphia Flyers, Anaheim Ducks, and Montreal Canadiens doing well in the playoffs.

Of course … all groups are very different. And it’s a unique situation, considering how small we are at the end, and how much flexibility it brings from one game to another. But the league is very strong and it’s equal that night in the middle of the night, you don’t know how it will go and where it can go. And that lends itself to this uncertainty where, one injury, two injuries, you fall down in a situation. Or a few players get hot, or they step up at a young age, and you start to move up. And that’s the fun part, because for us, I feel like it’s all the opposite. We’re a very young roster that still has a lot to develop, and that’s exciting going forward.

Davidson seems to be talking when both Bedard and Frank Nazar were injured in mid-December of last season. Before their injury, the Blackhawks were in the hunt for the playoffs. So it’s encouraging for Chicago that other young teams are showing great improvement and making waves in the postseason.

Could it be the Blackhawks next year?

Things will be busy from now until the official 2026 NHL Draft on June 26 and 27 (at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY). Apart from- The No. 4 pick, the Blackhawks have three picks in the second round, one pick in each of the third and fourth rounds, and two picks in the seventh round. Davidson and the Blackhawks scouting staff will be busy reaching out to players and conducting final evaluations. The Draft Combine is also scheduled from May 31 – June 6 at the LECOM Harborcenter, also in Buffalo, NY.

Keep it here at The Hockey Writers, as we’ll have more draft analysis, player content and 2026-27 season previews throughout the season.